Over 1,500 Americans have died from taking too much acetaminophen in the past decade

One of America’s best-known pain relievers has a lesser-known dark side. Over the past decade, more than 1,500 Americans have died from taking too much acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, reports ProPublica. Though tens of millions of people reportedly use it weekly without adverse effects, large amounts of the drug can lead to liver damage and other major health issues — a fact that isn’t as widely publicized as the drug’s potential health benefits.

Unlike other popular pain relievers, the difference between a safe and potentially harmful dose of acetaminophen is very slim, reports ProPublica. The Food and Drug Administration has apparently been aware of the issue for decades, but has moved slowly to address it. As far…